Economic and social assets of the eastern Mediterranean did not disappear with the fall of the classical Roman empire, but instead continued to provide the basic solid backbone of the great Byzantine empire.
The Byzantine empire soon became the new economic powerhouse of the postclassical era.
At first, Byzantium's economy, as well as society remained strongest when the empire supported a large class of peasants who owned small land plots.
later, the invasions of the 6th and 7th century broke up many large estates and peasants afforded opportunity to rebuild.
The theme system strengthened the free peasantry by making land available to those who performed military service.
Even the Byzantine imperial government made periodic efforts to support free peasantry and prevent the wealthy landowners from gaining too much control over their lands.
During the 6th, 8th, and 10th centuries, Byzantium authorites limited the accumulation of land by prosperous classes and thereby strengthened the peasantry.
Over the long-term, however, rich landowners built ever larger estates, and from the 11th century onward they transformed simple peasants into an increasingly dependant class.
You see, while the lower classes of peasants and such were technically free, and the theme system supported them rather than the power-hungry aristocrats of society, they became tied to the land almost as slaves, paying off debts and such.
This is certainly no caste system compared to India's, but a certain distinction between social class is established here.
As far as gender is concerned, woman lived in seperate apartments and no men were allowed to visit.(fer real!?!?!?!?!-saeed)
- Economic and social assets of the eastern Mediterranean did not disappear with the fall of the classical Roman empire, but instead continued to provide the basic solid backbone of the great Byzantine empire.
- The Byzantine empire soon became the new economic powerhouse of the postclassical era.
- At first, Byzantium's economy, as well as society remained strongest when the empire supported a large class of peasants who owned small land plots.
- later, the invasions of the 6th and 7th century broke up many large estates and peasants afforded opportunity to rebuild.
- The theme system strengthened the free peasantry by making land available to those who performed military service.
- Even the Byzantine imperial government made periodic efforts to support free peasantry and prevent the wealthy landowners from gaining too much control over their lands.
- During the 6th, 8th, and 10th centuries, Byzantium authorites limited the accumulation of land by prosperous classes and thereby strengthened the peasantry.
- Over the long-term, however, rich landowners built ever larger estates, and from the 11th century onward they transformed simple peasants into an increasingly dependant class.
- You see, while the lower classes of peasants and such were technically free, and the theme system supported them rather than the power-hungry aristocrats of society, they became tied to the land almost as slaves, paying off debts and such.
- This is certainly no caste system compared to India's, but a certain distinction between social class is established here.
- As far as gender is concerned, woman lived in seperate apartments and no men were allowed to visit.(fer real!?!?!?!?!-saeed)
>by jenna warriner and kelsey hamm:D
Edited by Veronica Helmer